Pennsylvania’s Foliage Season Is at Hand

HARRISBURG, PA – The weatherman is promising optimum fall foliage viewing this weekend, just as the seasons are about to change. While the trees look to be cooperating, there will be one large void; Renovo’s annual Flaming Foliage Festival has been pushed back a year due to COVID-19, although an Autumn Festival will be held instead on Saturday, Oct. 10.

According to information from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation — or anywhere in the world.

Only three regions of the world support deciduous forests that display fall autumn color:

• Eastern North America

• The British Isles and parts of northwestern Europe

• Northeastern China and northern Japan

Forests in other regions are either tropical or dominated by conifers.

Pennsylvania’s location between 40° and 42° North latitude and its varied topography from sea level on the coastal plain to over 3,000 feet in the Laurel Highlands supports 134 species of trees and many more shrubs and vines that contribute to the display of autumn color.

Pennsylvania is the meeting ground of northern trees that flourish only on mountain tops farther south and southern species that are at the northern limits of their range.

Enjoy the weekend; enjoy the foliage. The only thing missing is Renovo’s Flaming Foliage Festival, but organizers say it will be back in 2021. In place of the traditional Pennsylvania State Flaming Foliage Festival, the Flaming Foliage Committee this year will be hosting a one-day Autumn Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, featuring crafts, kids pumpkin decorating and pick-a-pumpkin contests (ages 10 and under), a basket raffle, and various food and craft vendors, kettle corn, plus homemade pies and funnel cakes. A fun day outside in support of the Flaming Foliage Festival. (570)923-2411